What is the role of lapatinib in the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer?

Answer

A study that evaluated the efficacy of lapatinib in HER2-negative and HER2-uncharacterized metastatic breast cancer concluded that although patients with HER2-negative or HER2-untested metastatic breast cancer did not experience benefit from the addition of lapatinib to paclitaxel, first-line therapy with paclitaxel-lapatinib significantly improved clinical outcomes in patients who were HER2-positive.
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Disclosure: Serve(d) as a speaker or a member of a speakers bureau for: Genentech; Astra-Zeneca ; Clovis; Tesaro<br/>Received income in an amount equal to or greater than $250 from: Astra-Zeneca; Clovis; Genentech; Tesaro; Celgene<br/>Received consulting fee from Genentech; Received consulting fee from Cellgene; Received consulting fee from Crititech; Received consulting fee from Amgen.

Disclosure: Serve(d) as a speaker or a member of a speakers bureau for: Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical, and Biomarin Pharmaceuticals<br/>Honoraria for: Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Biomarin Pharmaceuticals.

Chief Editor

Karl S Roth, MD Retired Professor and Chair, Department of Pediatrics, Creighton University School of Medicine